Will former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker ever play football again?

BALTIMORE — Justin Tucker spent the past 13 years with the Ravens, making him what had been the longest-tenured player on the team. That tenure in Baltimore came to an unceremonious and extraordinary end with his release Monday.

Now the question is: Is his NFL career over, too?

While general manager Eric DeCosta’s statement announcing the Ravens’ decision to part ways with Tucker made no mention of the numerous sexual misconduct allegations against the kicker by several massage therapists from multiple Baltimore-area spas, the accusations continue to hang over the 35-year-old veteran.

Tucker has denied the allegations, has not been charged criminally and is not the subject of any civil litigation.

The NFL’s investigation into Tucker is ongoing and a potential suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy could be in the works. That would likely be one of several factors that could impact whether he has a future in the league with another team or if he has booted his last NFL kick.

The Baltimore Sun discussed Tucker’s future with four longtime NFL agents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of the allegations against Tucker.

All of the agents also have represented players who have played for the Ravens at one point or another, have familiarity with Baltimore’s organizational thinking and in some cases represented players who have gone through the suspension process.

What’s next for Tucker?

From a timing standpoint, much will depend on the outcome of the league’s investigation, which could still take several more weeks.

But three years ago, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was initially suspended by the NFL for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after more than 20 women alleged that he committed sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. That was eventually increased to 11 games and included a $5 million fine, with Watson denying the allegations and reaching confidential settlements with most of his accusers.

All the agents The Sun spoke with agreed that Tucker is likely facing a suspension, though the number of games could will depend on the league’s findings and Tucker’s cooperation.

“He has a choice,” one of the agents said. “My guess is the league has or will come to him with an offer and say, ‘If you fight this, we’re going to go for 10 games. If you take the deal and admit guilt, we’ll offer six or eight.' ”

Added another agent: “For the Ravens to do what they did before the investigation concluded speaks volumes and says there’s no good news coming on Tucker’s front.”

Will he ever play again?

This, too, could hinge on not just the outcome of the investigation but Tucker’s response to it, some of the agents said.

“I think he’s in very precarious position because it’s an ongoing investigation,” one of them said. “From an agent standpoint, you’re saying what the f—? What can we do? How do you sell him as a player to a team? Are they going to want to bring that circus to town? I think most teams are going to say no.”

The same agent also cited Kansas City Chiefs punter Matt Araiza, who before the start of his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills in 2022 was accused along with two former San Diego State teammates of raping a 17-year-old girl in 2021.

The Bills released him the next day and said they only became aware of the allegations after they had drafted him. But in December 2022, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office decided not to file criminal charges, and the woman dropped her civil lawsuit against him the following December.

Araiza, who had filed a defamation suit against her, did not admit guilt, and no money was exchanged as part of the agreement for both parties to drop their respective suits.

It wasn’t until February of last year when another team, the Kansas City Chiefs, signed the “Punt God,” as he was known in college for averaging an NCAA-record 51.2 yards per punt in his final season.

“It’s highly likely [Tucker] sits out a year,” the agent said. “The only way he doesn’t is if he gets cleared.”

Said a different agent: “The choice he has to make is to decide that if he wants to play, he has to take the deal. If he’s suspended 6-8 games, by the time it’s up, a team fighting to get in the playoffs would sign him. If he fights it, trying to prove he’s innocent, no one will touch him while the investigation is ongoing, which could last through the season. Nobody fights it. Everybody takes the deal.”

In other words, Tucker could be back with a team as soon as this season.

“Deshaun Watson’s still out there,” one of the agents said. “Of course it’s recoverable. He’s a kicker, but he’s the best kicker in NFL history.”

How did the Ravens handle it?

Much has been made about the Ravens’ handling of Tucker since the allegations were first made just over three months ago in a Baltimore Banner report.

Some fans called for the team to part ways with him immediately. Then there was DeCosta’s statement on Monday, which made no mention of the accusations and lauded Tucker’s contributions on the field, thus drawing criticism in several circles for its garrulous fawning of a possible Pro Football Hall of Fame career that will likely be forever stained.

However, while the situation caused a visceral reaction for many, it also largely played out as expected, according to agents who have represented players under investigation by the NFL.

Because they are still allegations, Tucker has denied them, he hasn’t been charged criminally nor is facing any civil lawsuits, the Ravens had to be careful and measured in the team’s responses throughout, the agents all said. Had the Ravens released him right away, doing so before an investigation had begun or when it was in its early stages, it could also set a tricky precedent, the agents said, because an investigation needs to play out and/or allegations proven true.

It’s also probable the Ravens have some sense of what’s coming in terms of a potential punishment for Tucker.

“We knew the range of the suspension before we even got the offer from the league,” one agent said, referencing a different case with a client. “There’s back and forth with the NFL Players Association lawyer. The Ravens know something is coming.”